Section 17, The Breast-Milk Substitutes Act, 2021

(1) In addition to the requirements of section 16 amanufacturer or distributor shall not sell or offer for sale, a ready-tofeed therapeutic food product or a complementary food product if the container or label affixed thereto contains- (a) a text, image or other representation that - (i) suggests the suitability of the product for infants under 6 months including references to development milestones clearly reached before 6 months or the use of pictures of infants appearing to be younger than 6 months; (ii) idealises the product or is likely to undermine or discourage breast feeding or create a belief that the product is equivalent or superior to breast milk; (iii) undermines or discourages appropriate complementary feeding or that may suggest that the product is inherently superior to home prepared complementary foods; (b) a recommendation to feed the product in a bottle or otherwise promote the use of bottle feeding; (c) an endorsement, or anything that may be conveyed or construed as an endorsement by a health professional, an association of health professional or other body; and (d) an element that allows for cross-promotion of any other designated product. (2) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (1), the label of a ready-to-feed therapeutic food or a complementary food product shall include - (a) a statement in characters in a clear, conspicuous and easily readable manner, in English on- (i) the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and of continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond; and (ii) the recommended age of introduction which is not less than 6 months and a statement of that early introduction of complementary foods negatively affects breastfeeding; (b) instructions for preparation, storage, handling and use; and (c) a feeding chart showing the appropriate ration or serving size consistent with guiding principles issued by the World Health Organisation. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits 24 25 ready-to- feed therapeutic food and complementary